The impact of climate change on species

To survive, plants, animals and birds confronted with climate change have two options: move or adapt. With the speed of climate change we are experiencing already, it’s often not possible for a species to adapt quickly enough to keep up with its changing environment. And with the amount of habitat destruction, dam building, roads and cities expanding, moving is becoming increasingly difficult.

In such cases, climate change can mean that species disappear in places where they once thrived, or even go completely extinct. A recent study in Science magazine found that one in six species is at risk of extinction because of climate change – if we do nothing about it.

Climate change is clearly one of the biggest threats to the natural world. This is true in its own right but also because climate change can amplify existing threats.

This stark truth was captured dramatically in the winning image taken by the 2015 Wildlife Photographer of the Year. It’s an illustration of the deadly competition that can happen when animals move into new ranges. In this case, Arctic foxes are being displaced by red foxes in the Canadian tundra as the northern climate warms. The red fox’s range is expanding, and the smaller Arctic fox, naturally a predator, has become prey.

Many species are moving from their traditional ranges in response to climate change, finding different “niches” where they can live and successfully reproduce. In a warming world, species generally shift towards the north and south poles, or up-hill; sea creatures often move deeper into the ocean, following the temperatures they can survive in. Some species, such as the red fox, find that previously inhospitable environments have become suitable for them, while others will be pushed into smaller and smaller habitats, or displaced altogether. Sights like that seen in ‘A tale of two foxes’ are rare at the moment, but they may become more common as the Arctic warms.

For many species in the Antarctic and Arctic, where warming is at its most rapid, and those atop mountains, or in remaining patches of forest, there may be nowhere to go. Where people are involved – where natural habitats are broken up or dominated by cities and agriculture – it can be almost impossible for species to find new homes.

On 23 October, international snow leopard day, WWF highlighted potential impacts of climate change on snow leopard habitat. Snow leopards live in regions of Central Asia and the Himalayas, usually at elevations of 3,000 to 4,500 metres in some of the harshest habitats in the world. High elevations in the Himalayas have already seen warming at three times more the global average and much of their current habitats could become unsuitable for them if more is not done to address climate change.

It’s a story that has echoes all over the world as our new report highlights – for orang-utans, blue whales, tigers, African elephants, green turtles… the list goes on.

Climate change is one of our biggest challenges. It’s our mission to stop the degradation of our planet’s natural environment, and build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. That’s why we’re working hard to influence world leaders and negotiators as they prepare for December’s UN climate summit in Paris. We all need a global climate change agreement that’s fair, ambitious and transformational.

Developed countries will have to agree to make big cuts to their greenhouse gas emissions. Every country will have to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and move to clean renewable energy such as wind and solar power. If the outcome from Paris can set us on a path to limit future emissions that can keep global temperature rise to well below 2oC or 1.5oC, as well as fund projects to help the most vulnerable adapt, we can avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

The fact remains, whatever the outcome from the Paris summit, that climate change is one of the biggest threats to the natural world. World leaders must catch up with cities, businesses, faith groups and banks who are already taking real action to tackle climate change.

We all need to encourage our leaders to come to the agreement that the world needs – to reduce our carbon emissions and protect the most vulnerable people and species.

How you can help

Our supporters across the world will be joining international demonstrations on 29 November to send a clear message to our governments that we expect them to deliver in Paris. If you can, why don’t you join us. Just go the ‘peoples climate march’ tab for more info.

Comments

Climate change is very very important issue in present time. Each and every people should aware about this. Because people are main souse of this climate change and also will be the main victim. Tho climate change creating “A tale of two foxes” type story too.

Climate change has huge impact on the ecosystem. I feel shame for this change because we are responsible for this change. Animals are suffering for climate and we will be the victim of this change very soon. Hope that big dogs will be serious take initiative steps to save our planet.

Most read.

The Amazon is much more than simply a beautiful, far-off tropical rainforest. It’s also a source of everyday items we rely on. Do you recognise these familiar products and ingredients? Chocolate Did you know that your favourite chocolate originates from the cacao plant? This grows wild in Central and South America and cultivating it can

We’re all concerned about climate change, but when it looks like a problem for future generations, you ask yourself, ‘will climate change even affect me?’ No matter what you care about, climate change is already affecting our world today. While we still have time to limit the worst impact, here are ten great reasons to

On Monday 6 February, MPs will debate the UK’s ivory market in Westminster Hall. Here are 10 things you need to know about the global ivory trade and the role of the UK. On average one African elephant is killed by poachers every 25 minutes It is estimated that around 20,000 African elephants are killed

Earth Hour is fast approaching and as the Communications Manager for WWF Cymru my life seems to have been taken over by stars! During the last month I’ve met stars of all shapes and sizes from Hollywood actors to international rugby players, from politicians to school children – all are supporting Earth Hour and our

Saturday 25 January 2014 was a pretty significant day for WWF-UK. Having moved into our fantastic Living Planet Centre back in October 2013, we finally marked the public opening of the WWF Experience! Let me take a few steps back to explain. The idea of the Living Planet Centre was born when long standing supporter

Recently I attended an event at the Scottish Parliament where the UK Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC) presented their most recent progress report of delivery under the Scottish Climate Change Act. Five years ago I would have been in the same building – and possibly the same room – my memory fails me, urging our